Plastic carrier for bottles



P 1966 w. E. HIDDING 3,275,366

PLASTIC CARRIER FOR BOTTLES Filed Feb. 25, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NTOR.

Sept. 27, 1966 w. E. HIDDING 3,275,366

PLASTIC CARRIER FOR BOTTLES Filed Feb. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 27, 1966 w. E. HIDDING 3,275,366

PLASTIC CARRIER FOR BOTTLES Filed Feb. 23, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

P 1966 w. E. HIDDING 3,275,366

PLASTIC CARRIER FOR BOTTLES Filed Feb. 25, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3&6

55 f 30? lime/Zia? United States Patent 3,275,366 PLASTIC CARRIER FOR BOTTLES Walter E. Hidding, 505 Banbury Road,

Arlington Heights, 111. Filed Feb. 23 1965, Ser. No. 440,659

16 Claims. (Cl. 294 3 1.2)

This is a continuation-.in-part application of my copending application Serial No. 309,256 which was filed September 16, 1963, now abandoned.

This invention relates generallyto carrier devices and more particularly to a carrier or support for use with bottles and other containers in the dairy, pharmaceutical, and analogous industries.

Carriers or supports which include a flexible handle element have been developed heretofore for use with various types of bottles and containers. However, these prior art carriers have incorporated a continuous, generally circular band or strap for gripping the container. The resiliency of the material from which the band was fabricated has, because of the continuous nature of the band, been relied on to permitexpansion of the band for efiectuating assembly to a container and to achieve subsequent gripping of the container. These prior art carriers therefore were restricted in the tightness of the grip which could be obtained and were also restricted in the size of the enlargement on the container which could be nogotiated by the band. Heating of the band has frequently proved necessary to its assembly with a container, and this procedure has proved to be both costly and inconvenient.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved carrier support for bottles and other containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support device that is assembled to a container while in a substantially relaxed condition.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a multiple element, container support arrangement in which the handle element is biased into a generally lateral relationship with the band element.

And still another object of the invention is to provide a support device that is capable of developing a very tight grip of the container to which it is'assembled.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a support device arranged to preserve its retention of the container to which it has been assembled.

And yet another object of the invention is to provide a multiple element container support arranged topreserve the connection of the several component elements.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following disclosure.

A support in accord with the invention includes a number of arcuate collar sections which are arranged in an endless series and which lie in substantially the same plane. Outwardly extending lugs are connected to each of the collar sections adjacent the opposite ends thereof, and a leading lug of one section is aligned with a trailing lug of the next adjacent section. In order to interconnect the collar sections, a rotatable coupling member is provided for each adjacent pair of the aligned leading and trailing lugs, the coupling member having a cam opening which surrounds the aligned lugs. This cam opening in the coupling member is fashioned to possess a major diameter which allows spacing of the surrounded lugs for assembly of the support to a bottle or other container, and the cam opening is further fashioned to possess a minor diameter which, upon rotation of the coupling member, acts to cam the surrounded lugs closely together for drawing the collar sections tightly about the encom:

ice.

passed portion of the container for gripping it. A handle unit is connected to the coupling members for use in rotating the same and for use in carrying the gripped container.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood, several embodiments thereof, but to which the application is not to be restricted, are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a milk bottle to which there has been attached a support device constructed in compliance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the support device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the support device of FIG. 2 taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and showing the coupling members rotated to permit expansion of the sections which define the collar of the support device;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 3 but illustrating the coupling members rotated to draw the collar sections tightly about the encompassed portion f the b tt FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side-elevational view of a milk bottle to which there has been assembled a modified support dev1ce constructed in compliance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the support device of FIG. 7, the support device being shown in its disassembled state;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to the showing .of FIG. 8 but illustrating the assembled support device in relaxed condition for attachment to a bottle;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9;-

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the support device of FIG. 8, the coupling members being shown in rotated condi tion for drawing the collar sections tightly about the encompassed portion of the bottle;

FIG. 12 is a slightly enlarged view taken substantially along the line 1212 of FIG. 10; 7

FIG. 13 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 12 but illustrating rotation of the coupling member to draw the surroundedlugs closely together to develop the gripped condition shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged slide elevational view taken substantially along the line 1414 of FIG. 13 and showing the detent means which act between the collar sections and the coupling member to hold the handle means in upright position relative to the collar sections;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another modified support device constructed in compliance with the invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view taken substantially through the section 16 -16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 1 8 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 17 but illustrating the handle unit rotated into carrying position;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged, fragmentary, side-elevational view showing the cooperation between a coupling member and collar lugs of yet another modified embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a side-elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 19 but showing the handle element rotated into carrying position;

FIG. 21 is a reduced scale view of the support device 3 of FIGS. 19 and 20 assembled ing the same;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of still another modified to a metal can for carry- .lugs and interconnecting ears of the support device the handle member and collar elements being shown in section to reveal certain pertinent. relationships;

FIG-25. is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the reaction of the collar lugs and interconnecting ears during stretching of the collar elements to fit the support device to a container, the associated coupling element of the handle member being partially cut away and shown in section to reveal this reaction;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged perspective viewof the coupling element showing the generally conical cam surface;

FIG. 27 is an enlarged plan view showing the coupling element in section and illustrating the cooperation of the collar lugs and coupling element in the upright or carrying positionof the handle member; and

FIG. 28 is a view similar to the showing of FIG. 27

but illustrating the position of the parts in the normal.

position with the handle member disposed generally laterally of the collar elements.

Referring now in detail to the.drawings, specifically I to FIG. 1, a support device indicated generally by the numeral 20 is shown constructed in compliance with the invention and is illustrated as being attached to a glass, half-gallon milk bottle 22. In accord with'conventional practices, the milk bottle 22 includes'a neck portion -24,a radially outwardly flanged lip 26 andza radially outwardly extending ridge or bead 28.' Conveniently, the support 20 is assembled to the milk bottle .22 at the neck portion 24 and beneath the bead 28.

Turning ;to FIG. 2, the support 20 is seen to include a number of arcuate bands or collar sections 30 which are arranged in an endless series. and in substantially coplanar relationship. Each of the collar sections 30 is provided with a leading lug or cam follower 32 on one end and a trailing lug orcam follower 34 on the opposite end. The lugs 32 and 34 extend radially outwardly from the collar sections 30, and the leading lug 32 of one section is aligned with a trailing lug 34 of the next adjacent section. Each adjacent pair of leading and trailing lugs is interconnected by a centrally perforated car 36, the aperture in each ear 36 opening into the space between the aligned.

lugs to permit a substantial enlargement of the effective diameter of the band whichis defined-by the several 34 andthe ears 36 are advantageously fabricated to be integral; and because of the separation betweeneach ad jacent pair of lugsand pecause of the perforated, character of the attached ear, the. collar sections 30 may be spread appreciably, as for example to negotiate the lip 26 and the bead 28 of bottle 22,.without the need to rely on the resiliency of the material from which the collar sections are formed.

In compliance with an important feature of the invenco'llar sections. The collar sections 30, the lugs 32 and tion, a rotatable coupling member 38 is associated with each adjacent pair of aligned leading and trailing lugs; and the coupling member 38 is fashioned with an opening or cam aperture 40 which surrounds the aligned pair of lugs. As will be recognized, this surrounding of the adjacent pair of lugs serves to interconnect the collar sections 30. A bail or handle member 42 is connected to each of the coupling members 38 both for use in rotating the same and for use in carrying the bottle. 22 when, the support device 20 has been assembled thereto. Thehandle member 42 advantageously includes a .grip section 44 andtwo leg sections 46 which extend from the opposite ends of the grip section 44 in': generallyto merge with .the coupling right angular relationship members 38.

With reference to. FIG; 5, the. opening 40in the ro-. tatable coupling member 38 is seen' to. take the outline:

of two overlapping circles whereby to define a substan-: tially oval aperture with pointed formations .48 projecting toward eachzother across the minor diameter of the.

opening. ..Transversely of this minor'diameter, the opening 40 definesa major diameter which allows a substantial spacing of the surrounded lugs 32 and 34 for ease in assembling the support 20 to the neck ;of the bottle 22. Cooperatively, the lugs32 and 34 take semi-circular crosssection, as shown; and. the diameter of the lugsis arranged to be slightly greater than the spacing between the forma tions 48 whereby to detent'or lock both of the lugsselectively in either a different or, the same circular. region of a the opening 40. The planar sides. of the aligned lugsfare disposed facing each other to hold the same againstrelative rotation or twisting when in the converged condition,

and the surfaces of the lugs 32 and 34 and the surface of opening 40 contacted thereby comprise respective interference surfaces. 7

Thevarious'ele'ments ofythesupport 20 are iadvantageously fabricated from .a tough resilient material," such 7 as for example the polyolefinic plastics; and accordingly,; 7 the'collar sections 30,'the lugs 32 and 34 and the ears 36 may be readily molded in integral relationship. Similarly,

the coupling members. 38 and the handle member. 42 may 1 be molded integral. Thus, the support 20 is developed into a two-piece construction. When the collarsections are fabricated from a tough resilient material,they may be forcibly elongated to negotiate oversized containers.

Moreover, while the ears 36 have been described as inter-. 2 connecting the aligned pairs of leading and trailing lugs, it isdesirable under some circumstances to provide the col,-

larsections as completely separate elements whereby to develop a three-piece construction. In this lattercase, the. coupling members 38 '1 serve to interconnect the collar sections at the respective lugs thereof. In either event, it" is desirable'to provide abutment means on the aligned lugs;

outwardly of the associated coupling membersf38; and

in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6 the abutment means is provided by a shoulder; 50 on each of the ears 36, shoul ders 50 being well shown in FIGSAB and 4. These shoulders act to confine the coupling members in position with respect to the surroundedlugs. Because. appreciable stretching of the collar sections .30 'is not necessary in assembling the support device'=-20. to a container, the

various components of the support device may. be fabri-l cated from asuitable metalif desired.

Reconsidering FIG. 5,. the leg sections 46 of the handle unit 42 are seen connected to thecoupling member381in general alignment with the major diameter of the opening. 40 and transverse to theminor diameter thereof. The'. leg sections 46 are fashioned to be relatively stiff mem-' bers, as by the provision of: stiffening ribs '52, shown in.

FIGS. 2 and 3;and returning to FIG. 5,'this stiffness of the leg sections 46 permits them to act as levers between;

the grip section 44 of the handle unitand the coupling members for use in rotating the coupling members. Upon rotation of the coupling members; the walls of the minor diameter of the opening .40 act to cam the surrounded lugs closely together from the, spacedfposition shown in FIG. 5 to the converged position shown in FIG; 6; and this converging of the aligned lugs 32 and 34 draws the corresponding collar section 30 tightly about the encompassed portion of the bottle 22 .for gripping the same, as

- is shown in FIG. 4. vWhen the lugs 32 and 34 have been thus drawn together, the formations 48act to preserve this converged condition of the lugs. Correspondingly,

.5 the formations 48 prevent movement of the coupling member 38 relative to the lugs along the direction of the major diameter of the opening 40. The alignment of the leg sections 46 transversely of the minor diameter of the opening 40 acts to preserve the bottle-gripping condition of the collar sections 30 when the handle unit 42 is in carrying condition with the weight of the bottle suspended from the collar sections.

Having thus described the one construction of the invention, it is important now to state how the illustrated embodiment is used. Assuming that the support has been fabricated as a two-piece configuration, as shown, the handle unit 42 will be assembled to the interconnected collar sections 30 by forcing the ears 36 through the openlugs 40 until the coupling members 38 are disposed between the collar sections and the abutment means defined by the shoulders 50. The handle unit 42 will be disposed generally coplanar with the collar sections 30 as is indicated in solid outline in FIG. 1, and the respective pairs of lugs 32 and 34 will be spaced apart as is generally indicated in FIG. in order to facilitate passage of the collar sections over both the lip 26 and the head 28 and into the position indicated in FIG. 1. Thereafter and in order to situate the collar sections in gripping relationship relative to the neck of the bottle 22, the handle unit 42 will be lifted into the position shown in broken outline. Correspondingly, the handle unit acts to rotate the coupling members 38, camming the adjacent pairs of lugs 32 and 34 into converging relationship as is indicated in FIG. 6. This caming of the lugs serves to tension the collar sections 30, drawing them tightly about the encompassed portion of the bottle whereby to provide a firm grip thereof. If it is desired to remove the support 20 from the bottle 22, the foregoing procedure will be reversed; and when the aligned pairs of lugs are spaced apart, the collar sections and the entire support may be easily lifted off the bottle.

Thus, it will be apparent that the support of the invention is easily and quickly assembled to a bottle while in a relaxed condition, the support of the invention concomitantly providing a very tight grip of the bottle when such is desired. In addition, it will be apparent that the multiple-element support of the invention is arranged to preserve the connection of the several elements. The tight grip of the bottle which is established by the support is of relatively permanent, though selectively relaxable, nature.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been thus far shown and described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made. Therefore and turning to a consideration of FIGS. 8-14 a modified form of the support is shown to be indicated by the numeral 20a. Since the embodiment of FIGS. 8-14 is similar in some respects to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, like numerals have been used to designate like parts while the suflix lettera has been employed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 8-14.

Although the embodiment of FIGS. 8-14 is characterized by numerous features, such as the fashioning of the collar sections 30a to take a relatively thin section and the provision of the lugs 32:: and 34a to have a substantially square cross-section, the support 20a is distinguished principally by the connection of the lugs with conically shaped spuds 54 instead of ears, by the shaping of openings 40a elliptically and by the provision of cooperating detents acting between the collar sections 30a and the coupling members 38a to hold the handle unit 42a in upright position relative to the collar sections. Considering FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the spuds 54 are seen interconnecting the aligned pairs of lugs 32a and 34a; and the coupling members 38a are fashioned with conical surfaces to cooperate with the conical surface of the cooperating spuds 54 in defining a smooth, continuout surface at the juncture of the assembledparts.

With particular reference to FIG. 10, the inner margin of the coupling member 38a is seen fashioned with a larger aperture than the outer margin thereof, thus the opening 40a tapers from the inner to the outer margin of the coupling'member. Accordingly, the spud 54 may be forced through the opening in the coupling member, the walls of the opening expanding resiliently and the spud collapsing resiliently to permit passage of the spud completely through the coupling member. Once the spud has emerged, the abutment defined by the shoulder 50a is disposed in contact with the outer. edge of the coupling member to confine the coupling member in position with respect to the surrounded lugs. Advantageously, the outer aperture of the opening 40a is circular as is indicated at 56 in FIG. 8 whereas the inner aperture is oval as indicated at 58.

Turning to FIG. 14, the collar section 30a is seen fashioned with a triangular, outwardly extending rib 60 which confronts a triangular ridge 62 that protrudes from the coupling member 38a to face toward the corresponding collar section. A ridge 62 is provided at each edge of the coupling member 30a across the minor diameter thereof. Thus, the ridges 62 may coact with the triangular ribs 60 in holding the handle 'unit 42a in generally upright position relative to the collar sections. It is recognized that the lugs 32a and 34a may also be provided wtih triangular ribs similar to the triangular ribs 60 whereby to urge the handle unit 42a into generally coplanar relationship with the collar sections if and when such an arrangement is preferred to the upright condition Which is preserved by the cooperation of ribs 60 and ridges 62. The surface of opening 40a and the surfaces of lugs 32a and 34a contacted thereby comprise cooperating interference surfaces; and in addition, the contacting surfaces of ribs 60 and ridges 62 comprise a second set of such surfaces.

Other than the described distinctions, the support 20a is constructed and functions similarly to the support 20.

Further modified embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 15-18 and FIGS. 19-21 respectively. Since these later embodiments incorporate elements similar to those found in the previously described embodiments, like numerals have been used to designate like parts, the suffix letter b having been employed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 15-18 and the sufiix letter c having been employed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 19-21.

The support 20b which is illustrated in FIGS. 15-18 is particularly characterized by the structure and manner of connecting the leading lugs 32b with the respective trailing lugs 34b. Specifically, a formation 64 of generally circular outline is employed for this purpose. As is best shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the formation 64 interconnects the outer ends of the lugs 32b and 34b. In addition, the formation 64 includes relatively thick sections 66, marginal abutment elements 68 disposed radi-. ally outwardly of the relatively thick sections 66, and .a relatively thin medial section 70. Advantageously, the medial section 70 takes substantially oval shape whereby to permit the abutment element 68 to merge forming an annular shoulder 72 which serves to confine the associated coupling member 38b in position with respect to the surrounding lugs 32b and 34b.

The relatively thin medial section 70 is aligned with the space between the lugs 32b and 34b. and functions as a hinge for the relatively thick sections 66. Thus, the formation 64 may be folded about the relatively thin section 70 to converge the relatively thick sections 66, for facilitating passage of the formation 64, particularly themarginal abutment elements 68 through the cam 'aperture 40b and the coupling member 38b. Such an arrangement simplifies the assembly of handle unit 42b and the collar sections 30b.

It is also to be observed that the medial section 70 includes an inner portion 74 that is disposed closer to the center of the aligned collar sections 30b than the plane defined by the annular shoulder 72. This arrangement of he formation 64 tends to exclude dirt and foreign matter from the region between the aligned lugs 32b and 34b, thus enhancing the sanitary qualities of the support 20b. This latter function -is achieved if the inner surface of the portion 74 is at least coplanar with the shoulder 72 and preferably situated inwardlythere-of.

The support 200 which is shown in FIGS. 19-21 is characterized principally by 'the shape of the. opening or cam aperture 40c in. the coupling members 380. well shown 'in FIGS. 19 and 20, the opening or cam aperture 40c is fashioned to take an ovoid shape with the large end thereof toward the grip-section 44c of the handle member 42c. In use, the lugs 32c and 34c1which are received in the cam aperture 40c tend to reside in the large end .of the cam aperture as is shown in FIG. 19. When the. grip section 440- of the handle unit 42c is grasped to liftthe container towhich the support 200.

is assembled, the weight of the container acts generally perpendicular to the plane' of the aligned collar sections 30c, that is, in the direction indicated in FIG. 20 by the numeral 76. Since the act of picking up the containerby grasping and lifting the handle unit 4201 serves to rotate the coupling member 38c into the position shown in FIG. 20, the weight of the container tends to draw the surroundedlugs 32c and 340 into the lower, narrower end of the cam aperture 40c. This action converges the surrounded lugs and draws the collar sections 300 into gripping engagement with the encompassed portion of 20 by the numeral78. The wall of aperture 400 and the 1 contacted surfaces of lugs 32c and 34c comprise aset of cooperating-interference surfaces.

The support 20c is shown in FIG. 21 to be assembled .to a relatively large metal can 80 beneath the upper bead or top double seam 82 thereof. When the collar sections are made. of a flexible material, the support of the invention may. accommodate and be assembled to cans of either round or non-round section. Similarly, the support of the invention is capable of being assembled to and packaging together a group of cans or other containers.

A yet further modified embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 22-28 wherein like numerals have been used to identify elements which are similar to those found in the previously described embodiments. The suffix letter d has been used to distinguish those like elements associated with the embodiment of FIGS. 22-28.

The support device 20d is particularly characterized by its being arranged so that the handle member 42d is normally biased into a generally lateral relationship with the collar sections 30d, 9. position indicated in FIG. 22. It is desirable to have the handle member normally disposed in this position so that, when the support device is assembled with a glass bottle, such as a milk bottle, and when such assemblage is to be cleaned and sterilized in conventional bottle-washing equipment, the handle member does not obstruct the open mouth'of the bottle. In other words, the support device 20d is arranged so that force must be applied thereto in order to raise the handle to the upright or carrying position shown in FIG. 24, some of this force being stored in the support device itself to provide a returning action of the handle mem- AS is 8 her to its generally laterally aligned condition upon being released from its upright position.

The support device 20d is characterizedby a number of structural features that are arranged to promote the desired elfect described hereiuabove. Among these is the arrangement of the lugs or cam followers 32d 7 and. 34a to include angled leg portions 83 shown in FIG. 23.

These angled leg portions are arranged, {in each adjacent pair of the lugs, to cooperate in defining a pyramidalv cam formation having its base at the arcuate' bands'or collar sections 30d. The'apex of this pyramidalcam. formation disappears'into straight .outer portions 84 of the respective lugs 32d and 34d.

It should be noted, withreference to 25, that,; although the leg portions .83 are angulated, they have substantially parallel opposite sides. Accordingly, the

leg portions 83 define an opening 85 of substantially;

triangular outline therebetween. So arranged, hinges or pivot points 86, 88 and 90 are developed respectively at the juncture of the leg portions 83 and collar sections 30d, at the juncture of leg portions 83 and. the straight portions 84, and at the mid-portion of the interconnect: mg ear 34d. Flexure occurs atthese pivot points whereby to facilitate expansion of the opening defined by the collar sections 30d in assembling the support device to 'a container. It should also be observed, with .reference to FIG..25, that the collar sections 30d are fashioned:

with extension portions .92 that extend toward each other across the base of the pyramidal cam formation. These extension portions enhance'the gripping of the container particularly atv the lipor-bead beneath which the collar sections are normally disposed.

Considering FIG. 26, the came aperture 40d is seen to be fashioned with a major diameter 94 that is aligned generally with the longitudinal axis of the leg section 46d. Cam aperture 40d also includes a minor diameter 96. The leg sections 46d and the grip section 44d of the handle member are, in addition, arranged to reside substantially in a single plane; and thus, the major diameter 5 of the cam aperture 40d is generally alignedwith the.

plane of the handle member 42d- This major diameter of the cam aperture is also arrangedto have a size ofat least about the major basal dimension of the pyramidal cam formation defined bythe adjacent lugs.32d and 34d. This dimensional relationship is illustrated in" FIG. 25. The minor diameter of thecam aperture 40d, on the other hand, is arranged to have a size; of less than the major basal dimension'of the cam formation. .This dimensional relationship is shown in FIG. 27 where the coupling member 38d .is seen to have ridden outwardly on the leg portions 83 in view of the minor diameter 96 having been rotated into alignment across the pyramidal cam formation.

The functioning of the support device. 20d will ,now be described with continued reference to FIGS. 27 and. 28. Because themajondiarneter 94of the cam aperture 40d takesa size of atleast aboutthe major basal dimen-- sion of the cam formation, the cam formation, compris ing' the leg portions 83, and the coupling member 38d assume a stable, substantially unstressedor relaxed condition when the handle member 42d is generally aligned with the collar sections 30d laterally thereof as shown in FIG. 28. mechanical interference between the cam formation and the cam aperture may exist in this condition in order that the collar sections 30d will tightlygrip the encircled It is to be recognized that some slight which is illustrated in FIG. 24. In this latter position,

the major diameter 94 is upright, as is shown in FIG. 2A, and the transverse minor diameter 96 is situated generally in the plane of the leg portions 83 and the collar sections 30d, as is shown in FIG. 27. In order to assume this latter position, the coupling member 38d must ride outwardly because of the angulation of the cam formation comprised of the leg portions 83. The relative size of the minor diameter 96 also tends to draw the ends of the respective collar sections 30d closer together stretching these sections and storing force therein. Some deformation of the leg portions 83 and the coupling member 38d is also frequently experienced. Since the material which the various elements are fabricated is resilient, this deformation stores additional force in the support device, which force tends to return the handle from the upright position to the position aligned generally laterally of the collar sections when a transient force is applied to the handle means displacing it slightly from the carrying position. As will be recognized, the relative dimensions can be selected so that no initiating force is necessary to return the handle member from the upright to the lateral position. In essence, the cam formation defined by the angled leg portions 83 and the cam aperture 40d in the coupling member 38d are coperatively shaped to define a cam peak corresponding to the upright carrying position of the handle member 42d and a cam trough corresponding to the generally laterally aligned position of the handle member whereby to return the handle member to its lateral position upon release of the handle member from its upright position.

In order to enhance the defined action of the support device 20d, the coupling member 38d is provided with a generally conical cam surface 98 shown in FIG. 26. The cam surface 98 corresponds in its direction of taper with the cam formation defined by the leg portions 83, as will be apparent from an inspection of FIGS. 27 and 28. Accordingly, the cam formation defined by the leg portions 83 engages the cam aperture 40d in a fitted manner. Relative rotation of the handle member 42d is facilitated by this arrangement. In addition, the endless collar sections 30d are advantageously disposed to form an oval in the as-molded condition which is shown in FIG. 23, the major axis 100 of this oval being aligned with the oppositely disposed pairs of lugs 32d and 34d. Assembly of a support device with collar sections so arranged to a round portion of a container develops stress in the collar sections, and this stress tends to spread each cooperating pairof lugs to develop further resistance to the positioning of the handle member in the carrying position. As will be recognized, the conical surface of aperture 40d and the surfaces of leg portions 83 that are contacted thereby comprise cooperating interference surfaces.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the grip section 44d of the handle member 42d is selected to possess a greater span than the collar sections 30d. Furthermore, the leg sections 46d of the handle member are angled to dispose the coupling members 38d in the unstressed condition associated with the lateral position of the handle member. Subsequent displacement of the coupling members to the stresssed condition of the parts develops supplemental stress in the connected grip and leg sections of the handle member, and this latter stress enhances the biasing of the handle member toward its lateral position.

With reference to Figs. 24 and 26, the handle member 1 10 to be considered as being primarily illustrative. Various changes beyond those described will, no doubt, occur to those skilled in the art; and such changes are to be understood as forming part of this invention insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A carrier for containers and the like, said carrier comprising: a plurality of bands arranged in an endless series; a first cam follower on one of said hands; a second cam follower on an adjacent band; a coupling member having a cooperating complementary cam aperture receiving said first and second cam followers in rotatably slidable relationship therewith, said cam aperture having a first dimension which accommodates spacing apart'of the cam followers whereby to enlarge the effective length of the endless series of bands for assembly of the carrier to a container, said cam aperture further having a second, smaller dimension which demands a closer spacing of said followers whereby to reduce the effective length of the endless series of bands for causing said bands to grip the container; handle means connected to said coupling member for use in carrying a container assembled With said carrier and for use in rotating said coupling member relative to said followers whereby to direct the spacing thereof; and a formation interconnecting the ends of said followers away from said bands, including relatively thick sections, abutment elements outwardly of said relatively thick sections acting to confine said coupling member in position with respect to said followers, and a relatively thin medial section aligned with the space between said followers whereby to define a hinge for said relatively thick sections, converging of said relatively thick sections about said hinge facilitating passage of said abutment elements through said cam aperture for assembling said handle means to said bands.

2. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein one of said coupling members and said formation is of tough, resilient material.

3. A support according to claim 1 wherein said cam aperture is elliptical.

4. A support according to claim 1 wherein said cam aperture is ovoid.

5. A support according to claim 1 wherein said handle means includes a grip member and wherein said cam aperture is ovoid with the large end thereof toward said grip member whereby said handle means is biased normally into coplanar relationship with said bands.

6. A support according to claim 1 wherein said cam aperture takes the outline of two overlapping circles.

7. A support for containers and the like, said support comprising: a plurality of collar sections arranged in an endless series and in substantially coplanar relationship; outwardly extending lugs connected to each of said collar sections adjacent the opposite ends thereof, a leading lug of one section being aligned with a trailing lug of the next adjacent section; a rotatable coupling memberfor each ad j acent pair of said aligned leading and trailing lugs, said coupling member having an opening surrounding said aligned lugs whereby to interconnect'said collar sections, said opening having a major diameter which allows situation of the surrounded lugs in spaced apart condition for assembly of the support to a container and saidopening further having a minor diameter which, upon rotation of said coupling member, acts to cam said surrounded lugs into closely disposed condition for drawing said collar sections tightly about the encompassed portion of the container for gripping the same; handle means connected to said coupling members for use in rotating the same; and detent means including a first interference surface on said coupling member and a cooperating, second interference surface on the assembly comprising said collar sections and said lugs, said first and second interference surfaces being relatively arcuately situated for positioning in maximum interfering engagement when comprising: a plurality of collar sections arranged in an endless series; outwardly extending lugs connected to each of said collar sections adjacent the opposite ends thereof, a leading lug of one section being aligned with a trailing lug of a next adjacent section; a rotatablecoupling memher for each adjacent pair of said aligned leading and trailing lugs, said coupling, member having an opening surrounding said aligned lugs whereby to interconnect said collar section, said opening having a major diameter which allows spacing of the surrounded lugs for assembly of the support to a container and said opening further having a minor diameter which, upon rotation of said coupling member, acts to cam said surrounded lugs closely together for drawing said collar sections tightly about the encompassed portion of the container for gripping the same; and handle means connected to said coupling members for use in rotating the same, each adjacent pair of said leading and trailing lugs including angled leg portions cooperating to define a pyramidal cam formation having its base at said collar sections, said handle. means being substantially planar, and the major diameter of the opening in the cooperating coupling member being generally aligned with the plane of said handle means and having a size of at least aboutthe major basal dimension of said cam formation whereby said lugs. and cooperating coupling members assume a stable, substantially unstressed condition when said handle means is generally aligned with said collar sections laterally thereof, said minor diameter having a size of less than said' major basal dimension whereby said lugs and cooperating coupling members assume an unstable,- stressed condition when said handle means is disposed acrosssaid collar sections in upright carrying position,

transient force applied to said handle means in said carrying position initiating displacement of said handlermeans to its lateral position.

9. A support for containers and the like in accordance with claim s wherein said coupling member has a generally conical cam surface corresponding in its direction of taper with said cam formation whereby to facilitate relative rotation of said handle means.

10. A support for containers and the like in accordance with claim 8 wherein said collar sections have extension portions extending toward each other across the base of said pyramidal cam formation whereby to enhance the gripping of the assembled container.

11. A support for containers and the like in accordance with claim 8 .wherein said handle means isjof resilientmaterial and includes a grip section and leg sections connecting said grip section to said coupling mem-' bers, saidgripsection having a greater span than said endlessly arr'anged collar sections and said leg sections being angled todispose said coupling elements normally.

in said unstressed condition, displacement of said conpling members to said stressed condition developing stress in said connected grip and leg sections whereby to enhance the bias of said handle means toward its lateral position.

A support for containers and the like in accord -i ance with claim 8 wherein said endlessly arranged collar sections are disposed forming an oval, the major axis of said oval being aligned with two adjacent pairs of lugs whereby assembly of said collar sections to a round portion of a container develops stress in said sections tending to spread each pair of said two'pairs of lugs whereby. to develop further resistance to the positioning of said handle means in said carrying position.

13.. A carrier for containers and. the like, said. carrier comprising a plurality of bands arranged in an endless. series; a first cam follower on one of said hands; a second cam follower on an adjacent band, said followers including leg portions cooperating to define a pyramidal cam formation having its base at said bands; a coupling member having a cooperating complementary cam aperture receiving said first and second cam followers inrotatably slidable relationship, said camaperture having a first dimension which accommodates spacing apart of the. cam followers whereby to enlarge the effective length of the endless series of bands for assembly of theicarrier to a container, said camaperture further having a second, smaller dimension which demands a closer spacing of said followers whereby to reduce the effective length of the endless series of bands for causing said bands to grip the container; and handle means connected to said cou;

pling member forguse in carrying a container assembled with said carrier andifor use in rotating said coupling member relative to said followers, said handle means be ing substantially planar and said first dimension of the smaller dimension having'a size of less than said major;- basal dimension, said cam formation and said cam aper: I

ture being cooperatively shaped to define a cam peak corresponding to the vupright carrying positionsof said handle means and a cam trough corresponding to the generally laterally position of said handle means whereby to return said handle means to said last named position upon release of said-handle means from said upright position.

14 A support according to claim 7 wherein one of) said anterference surfaces is substantially cusp-shaped in' outline.

15. A support according to claim 7 wherein said first interference surface is generally ovoid.

16. A support according to, claim 7 wherein said-first and second interference surfaces are conical.

References Cited by theiExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,474,305 11/ 1923 Williams 29433 3,120,974 2/1964 Matson 220-.-91 X FOREIGN PATENTS 84,670 a 12/1954 Norway.v

GERALD. M. FORLENZA, PrimalyExaminer. G. ABRAHAM,'Assislant Examiner. 

1. A CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE, SAID CARRIER COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF BANDS ARRANGED IN AN ENDLESS SERIES; A FIRST CAM FOLLOWER ON ONE OF SAID BANDS; A SECOND CAM FOLLOWER ON AN ADJACENT BAND; A COUPLING MEMBER HAVING A COOPERATING COMPLEMENTARY CAM APERTURE RECEIVING SAID FIRST AND SECOND CAM FOLLOWERS IN ROTATABLY SLIDABLE RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH, SAID CAM APERTURE HAVING A FIRST DIMENSION WHICH ACCOMMODATES SPACING APART OF THE CAM FOLLOWERS WHEREBY TO ENLARGE THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF THE ENDLESS SERIES OF BANDS FOR ASSEMBLY OF THE CARRIER TO A CONTAINER, SAID CAM APERTURE FURTHER HAVING A SECOND, SMALLER DIMENSION WHICH DEMANDS A CLOSER SPACING OF SAID FOLLOWERS WHEREBY TO REDUCE THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF THE ENDLESS SERIES OF BANDS FOR CAUSING SAID BANDS TO GRIP THE CONTAINER; HANDLE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID COUPLING MEMBER FOR USE IN CARRYING A CONTAINER ASSEMBLY WITH SAID CARRIER AND FOR USE IN ROTATING SAID COUPLING MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID FOLLOWERS WHEREBY TO DIRECT THE SPACING 